Bio & Incident Details
Age: Not available
Tour: Not available
Badge # Not available
Cause: Assault
Incident Date: 6/29/1909
Weapon: Officer's nightstick
Suspect: Acquitted
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Policeman William Orrison was attacked and beaten to death by a group of people after he arrested a 15 year-old boy at the park for stealing rides on a merry-go-round.
Policeman Orrison was on his way to the magistrate's office with the boy when he was attacked by a dozen of his friends. As he was being hit and kicked, one of the attackers jerked his night stick from his hand and dealt him a terrific blow on the side of his head. As he fell to the ground the crowd disappeared. Policeman Orrison died without regaining consciousness.
The suspect who struck Policeman Orrison with his night stick, was identified, arrested, and charged with manslaughter. At his trial the suspect's attorney acknowledged that his client struck the officer but argued that others struck him also, and they could have caused his death. The jury found him not guilty.
